Unicorn Antiques

There's a touch of Steptoe's Yard about this cluttered shop, where dusty shelves are stacked with copper pots, top hats, antique books and third, fourth and fifth-hand ornaments. It's down a stone staircase off Dundas Street, in a dark basement, with the original tiled floors and marble shelves preserved from its former life as a dairy. You may have to lift the owner's cat to get a decent look at certain items, but, usually, there are gems lurking. •65 Dundas Street, 0131-556 7176, unicornantiques.com. Mon and Wed noon-6.30pm, Tues, Thurs, Fri and Sat 10.30am-6.30pm, Sun closed

Edinburgh Printmakers Studio

The Gayfield/Broughton part of town has recently become a mini-hub of indie art galleries and grungy workshops for illustrators and painters. Many of the new residents have moved in over the past few months but the Printmakers Studio has been here since 1967. It's a base for printmakers to use equipment and take courses in lithography and bookbinding, with a gallery and small shop. Screen prints, birthday cards, jewellery and framed art are on sale, and the Studio participates in the Own Art scheme, designed to make buying art more affordable.•23 Union Street, 0131-557 2479, edinburgh-printmakers.co.uk. Tues-Sat 10am-6pm, closed Sun and Mon

The Red Door Gallery

On one of Edinburgh's most photogenic cobbled streets, a few doors downhill from the eye-watering odours of a gourmet cheesemonger and a bottle-shop selling family-made bramble whiskies, The Red Door Gallery stocks work by local artists, crafters and jewellers, and gives a foot-up to fledgling illustrators and graduates from the nearby Edinburgh College of Art. Look out for digitally printed silk scarves, leather pony necklaces, Donna Wilson lambswool throws and armfuls of brooches, mugs and bags.•42 Victoria Street, 0131-477 3255, edinburghart.com. Mon-Fri 12.30pm-5.30pm, Sat 11am-5.30pm, Sun noon-5pm

Curiouser and Curiouser

Gentlemen's Brothel at Curiouser and Curiouser

Broughton Street is the closest Edinburgh has to a gay quarter, and this epicentre of the "pink village" also has a cluster of good bars and shops. Towards the bottom of the hill you'll find this small supplier of Scandinavian accessories, Edinburgh-made jewellery and vintage bits for the home. A sleek stoneware pot for your basil plant? Nautical rope-patterned coasters? Something called a "Gentlemen's Brothel" bar of organic soap, handmade in Edinburgh? This is a shop full of things you didn't realise you suddenly needed.•93 Broughton Street, 0131-556 1866, curiouserandcuriouser.com. Tues-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun-Mon noon-4pm

Studio One

Studio One

A godsend of a place around Christmas, or on any day, when you realise you need to find a last-minute present. Most bases are covered for the home: grizzly bear bookends, chocolate-scented candles and Japanese noodle bowls can all be found in this deceptively large basement, which stretches along Stafford Street in the cluster of shops and hairdressers that make up the well-heeled West End (its "Notting Hill of the North" nickname was earned for a reason.) There's a sister shop selling furniture in Morningside.•10 Stafford Street, 0131-226 5812, shopstudio1.co.uk. Mon–Sat 9.30am–6pm, Sun 10am–5pm. Studio One Furniture, 71 and 132 Morningside Road, 0131-447 2179, studioonefurniture.co.uk. Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Herman Brown

Photograph: Graeme Yule

This vintage clothes shop on West Port has been keeping the city's art students in secondhand heels and costume jewellery since 1983. A jumble sale rummage won't be needed either; it's a neat, well-picked collection of 50s and 60s prom dresses, trenchcoats and leather gloves on one side of the shop, and a slightly naffer (in a good way) 80s and 90s-leaning capsule collection called HB Electronics on the other. The HB sideline is curated by the owner's daughter and son-in-law, who have a good eye for faded denims, ugly-chic blouses and trashy leotards.•151 West Port, 0131-228 2589, hermanbrown.co.uk. Mon-Sat 1pm-6pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Bra Bohag

Bra Bohag

This secondhand furniture store kits its Leith neighbours out with G-Plan sideboards, Ercol chairs and the occasional taxidermied duck. It's a good find if you're looking for offbeat pieces, particularly if you like mid-20th century furniture or homewares with a tasteful retro flourish. Most of the pieces are sourced from the UK, but there's a strong Scandinavian flavour too. Swedish kettles and ceramics from the 60s sit next to Danish-designed lamps and glassware, and although some of the rarer, one-off pieces of furniture edge towards four figures, many smaller homeware items will give you back change from £20. •150 Easter Road, 07808 808033, brabohag.com. Thurs-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-6pm, or by appointment

Homer

Homer

Imagine a scaled-down department store inside a Georgian townhouse… Homer is a multipurpose, homeware supplies spot with the tagline "Conran meets the Old Curiosity Shoppe" (sic). It's run by Kevin and Jayne Ramage, a couple who had a bookshop in London, then moved to the Highlands. They opened Homer, part one, in Perthshire and more recently this, the Edinburgh branch. They'll sell you a vintage bathroom cabinet, plus luxury lotions and potions to fill it. They'll also kit out your home office with leather accessories, fill your garden with birdhouses, and supply fancy cocktail shakers for your drinks cabinet. •8 Howe Street, 0131-225 3168, athomer.co.uk. Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm (Thurs until 7pm), Sun noon-4.30pm

Goodstead

Goodstead

Rose Street is the pedestrian street running parallel to Princes Street, more famous for its pubs and seafood restaurants than its shopping but this store is a must visit for the label lover. It's not the cheapest but it does offer a good selection of pared down, non-garish summer dresses by Sessun and APC for her, and striped espadrilles and MHL by Margaret Howell shirts and blazers for him. High-top Nikes, leather iPod covers, tortoiseshell sunglasses and woven belts are among further temptations.•76 Rose Street, 0131-228 2846, goodstead.co.uk. Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm

Moleta Munro

Moleta Munro

Justin Baddon opened this design and furniture shop with his wife Juliet in 2007, after moving back to Scotland from London. A few of the price tags may bring tears to the eyes but there is always the sense that the range of Scandinavian furniture, Scottish textiles, handwoven rugs and minimal lighting fixtures has been picked with care. Smaller items such as the upside-down hanging plant pots, bird-feeders and whale-tail salad tongs make for excellent gift ideas.•4 Jeffrey Street, 0131-557 4800, moletamunro.com. Mon-Sat 10.30am-6pm

•Claire Sawers is shopping editor of the List, a Scottish arts magazine

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